Thanks, Mr. Kelly for taking the time to respond to my editorial. As a concerned citizen with the freedom to have an opinion based on knowledge and experience, I respect your position and the responsibilities and obligations it requires. As a former public company director, ComputerLand and Apple Computer Marketing Director, and entrepreneur, I am familiar with the creative application of data, in this case statistics, to make a salable case.
Nonetheless, this issue is a microcosm of a much bigger philosophical issue that is paramount in our society. That is, the search for definitiveness and truth. In our rapidly paced world with spin zones and instant media, it is challenging to make quality decisions, especially when they have qualitative effects on millions of lives.
The traffic cam attempts to take what seems to be a simple situation of obeying the law and creating a modern way of enforcing it. Whether in the name of safety or revenue raising or whatever argument wins the day, the implementation eliminates the gray and accentuates the black and white. We all want clarity. However, it is not human. Hence, a human police officer, a court system with judges and peers -- these people and their efforts to obtain clarity plays a vital role in recognizing the gray area of the human experience.
(For example) one can measure what appear to be facts, but intentions and circumstances less so. In our society we are obsessed with winners and losers, measurement and comparison, and the ability to have those results instantly. In moderate doses with checks and balances we flourish and it is justifiable. When we sacrifice the humanity to achieve the objective we walk a fine line of contributing to the chaos rather than advancing our society.
Pertaining to the cam light issue, the answering of the following questions might assist in achieving clarity. Knowing an upcoming intersection has a cam light, does anxiety increase?When traveling at the speed limit and as you are just about to enter an intersection and the cam light turns yellow, what do you do?What does the person behind you do? whether they are too close to you or not?
When the flash of the camera light goes off, rightly or wrongly, for you or a vehicle near you, does anxiety increase? For how long do you think about it? who do you talk to about it? what is the impact?
If one receives a surprise ticket in the mail or know of someone who does, what is the resulting behavior?
If you live or do business near an intersection with a very active cam light how do you feel? If you had the choice of buying a house near a corner with an active traffic cam or somewhere else where would you choose? Likewise for starting a business? If you received one these traffic cam tickets would you in future, if logistically feasible, avoid that intersection?
How do you feel about being photographed and videotaped as you pass through an intersection by a private company and/or government agency? If you are elderly, does this add to the fear and anxiety associated with driving? and result in what change in behavior and mindset? How do you feel about taking time off from work to go to court, pay for parking, wait your turn, state your case, be denied and pay your fine? and live in fear of it happening again?How do you feel when you see someone else violate other driving laws and get away with it, after you got a disputable photo ticket?
How do feel about losing your license with repeat tickets no matter how incidental, insurance rates going up, and hefty fines?What are the ramifications in a family environment with existing financial and emotional tensions? behavioral?How does this make you feel about governmental authority?
These are just some of the important questions that need to be answered when dealing with human beings who do not live in a world of black and white certainties.
